The MTA is cracking down on fare-beaters on the Bx12 Select Bus Service.
Increasingly, teachers working at charter schools in New York and elsewhere are looking to unionize. In the Bronx, the Green Dot New York Charter School in Mott Haven could be next.
Two brothers - Rodrigo and Gonzalo Venegas (aka Rodstarz and G1 of the Bronx hip-hop group Rebel Diaz) - have been found not guilty of resisting arrest and obstruction of justice, after coming to the aid last summer of a street vendor they say cops were harassing. More here. And here's a video clip of the incident.
Twelve high school students, including at least three from the Bronx, recently traveled to South Africa to meet Nelson Mandela, after winning a competition. More here.
Governor Paterson will hold a special session in the State Senate at 3 p.m. today, in the hopes of resolving the leadership stalemate. The Republicans, meanwhile, are planning a session for 2 p.m. - meaning they will control the chamber when the Democrats arrive. More here and here.
Bob Kappstatter is wondering if the Republicans will cut Pedro Espada loose.
Espapda and fellow (or ex-) dissident Hiram Monserrate are nothing if not quotable. We linked to this yesterday, but here's Espapda claiming in the Daily News that he really does live in his Bedford Park co-op and that a young boy in the building saw him the other day and said, "Mommy, mommy, look - he does live here." And here's Monserrate likening himself to Jesus.
Bronx BP Ruben Diaz, Jr. is calling on the city to test for toxic chemicals in aging public schools.
Judy Reyes, the Bronx-born Scrubs actress and one of the inductees into this year's Bronx Walk of Fame, is expecting her first child.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Bronx News Roundup, June 23
Monday, June 22, 2009
We Need Ad Sales Reps to Help Us Grow Bronx News Network
To sustain and build on the work we're doing publishing nonprofit newspapers in underserved Bronx neighborhoods, the Bronx News Network needs to sell more advertising in the nonprofit newspapers we publish and serve and on 7 different Web sites including this blog. That means we need more ad sales representatives. We pay 25 percent commission, though a modest hourly wage drawn against commission is possible. With six newspapers and 7 Web sites, this will be a lucrative opportunity for the right person.
Maybe you're this person, in which case we should talk immediately. Or maybe you know an ambitious, motivated person who loves the Bronx and loves to work with people to improve communities. And that's the way we see advertising -- as an extremely affordable way for Bronx merchants, businesses, organizations and instititutions to get their messages out to the right constituencies. Strong businesses and organizations mean strong neighborhoods. That's the mission of our advertising program.
Sales experience is a plus but is not necessary. If we think you have potential, we'll train you. Hours are flexible. If you work part-time and are looking for supplemental income, this might be an ideal situation for you.
If you're interested, please send a cover letter and resume to jmoss-at-norwoodnews.org. If you know of someone, we'd be grateful if you'd pass this along to them. Thanks!
Jordan Moss,
Executive Editor
Bronx Borough President to take part in Intergovernmental Energy Partnership
Diaz will serve as co-chair of the partnership and believes the new alliance will be a “strong first step towards not only identifying areas where intergovernmental partnership can foster new initiatives in the growing green energy field, but finding the funding to support it as well.”
The new partnership’s mission includes conducting a statewide inventory of companies and universities already engaged in green technology projects, promoting greater collaboration throughout New York State on green energy efforts, and showcasing specific innovations that have already taken place.
The next meeting of the partnership will be scheduled for Washington, DC, where a summit for all partcipants will take place.
City Seeks Industrial Development for Zerega Site
The city's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has issued a request for proposals for an approximately 100,000-square-foot site in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx. The EDC, which also managed the Gateway Mall project and is currently shephereding the Kingsbridge Armory project, is looking for a developer to acquire and redevelop the site for industrial uses.
The site is made up of two city-owned lots at 535-537 Zerega Avenue, and is currently being used as a community garden, which they say will be relocated.
According to EDC President Seth W. Pinksy, the request is intended to find industrial users that would maximize the potential of the property and create quality industrial jobs for the community.
The EDC says it will use a variety of criteria to evaluate potential proposals, including economic impact on the city’s economy, land use and design, financial feasibility and relationship to the surrounding community. In addition, each proposal must also submit a Green Building Plan identifying the project’s sustainable-design goals.
On the Housing Front
Here are a few Bronx-related housing stories for the beginning of summer:
The main topic for 2009 that will likely continue on for the foreseeable future is the issue of foreclosures in apartment buildings, especially those owned by private equity investors who gambled on increasing rents dramatically.
In the Gotham Gazette, Bronx-based freelance reporter Eileen Markey documents the Foreclosure Threat that Looms Over Thousands of City Apartments, including many in the Bronx.
Included in her piece is the worst-case scenario being played out a number of Bronx buildings owned by private equity investor Ocelot Properties, where the owners have walked away, the buildings are in complete disarray and a number of them have gone vacant.
Earlier this month, City Limits reported on the situation in these buildings and the efforts by the City and housing advocates to get the lender, Fannie Mae, to "take a more active role in ensuring upkeep of the properties."
University Neighborhood Housing Program has warned about these types of scenarios for years at our affordable housing forums. Two years ago at our forum on Shrinking Affordability, panelist Frank Anelante of Lemle & Wolff warned about the condition of much of the City's housing stock and that we would be seeing more and more buildings falling down, such as what happened in Brooklyn yesterday.
(The report from this year's forum on Envisioning the Future of the Red Zone contains an extensive collection of maps and charts focusing on the west Bronx including new housing, demographic, economic and real estate data.)
Finally, NY1 has a segment on how the City's housing department (HPD) is buying foreclosed homes to rehab and sell them at below-market prices.
Bronx News Roundup for June 22
Roberto Garcia, who until recently worked here at Mosholu Preservation Corporation (which publishes the Norwood News and sponsors the Bronx News Network) as director or economic development and now works in community relations at Montefiore, is featured in the New York Times’ City Room blog answering questions about the deteriorating state of Bainbridge Avenue and 204th Street In Norwood.
Felix V. Matos Rodriguez will take over Hostos Community College next month. (You need a subscription to view full article.)
Congressman Jose Serrano leads all of his New York colleagues in securing earmarks for his district, according to an analysis done by the New York Post. Serrano says he’s successful because he asks for reasonable amounts of money and that his staff “does its homework.” He also does his best to win friends and influence his colleagues. “I’m not here to make enemies,” he told The Post.
The Daily News says its inquiry quashed a Department of Education decision to close MS 399’s science lab. The troubled school, which is on E. 184th Street just west of the Concourse, is slated for closure in two years. Mount Hope Monitor had this story in January.
And in Senate stalemate news ...
This might actually work. Gov Paterson is threatening to keep the legislature in session every day – even weekends – throughout the summer until they solve their leadership problems and start addressing legislation.
Sen. Pedro Espada showed a Daily News reporter his 201st Street co-op. Neighbors in the building continue to say they rarely see him there.
‘Anyone but Pedro.’ That’s what Manhattan State Senator Liz Krueger says is the stance of her Democratic colleagues, many of whom she said would be willing to accept a Republican leader over Espada, the freshman turncoat lawmaker who upended state politics when he sided with the GOP. Espada has nominally remained a Democrat. In the same Wall Street Journal article, Espada says his tactics “are not deemed disgraceful in my neck of the woods.”
Espada says he’ll give up his Senate paycheck if his colleagues do it first.
Newsday has this nugget on the seeds of the upheaval.
The Daily News is continuing its “Don’t Pay the Bums” campaign today, urging the state comptroller to not sign off on Senate paychecks until the leadership struggle is resolved.
Friday, June 19, 2009
New from the Tremont Tribune
The second edition of the brand new Tremont Tribune hit the streets this week, with full coverage of the neighborhoods inside Community Board 6: Belmont, Bathgate, Tremont, Crotona, and West Farms. It's bilingual and monthly, and you can find it at local businesses or online. Here's a look at what we've got for you this month:
Resident doctors at St. Barnabas Hospital are fighting to form a union.
A former gangmember turned police liaison tells the story behind his change of heart.
Community Board 6 thinks the funding cuts in Bloomberg's budget spell the beginning of the end for community boards.
Photos from the annual Feast of St. Anthony, which took over Belmont last week (you can find more photos from the feast below).
Plus an update on city council races and our listing of free local concerts, festivals, and events, in What's Going On?
And if you didn't catch us last month, never fear! The first ever edition of the Tremont Tribune is also online, with stories on Crotona's ambitions for a new, green, community center, and a controversial new housing development in Bathgate.
Take a look, and let us know what you think!
Bronx News Roundup, June 19
We'll start with Pedro Espada, Jr., who is fast becoming one of the most high-profile and controversial Bronx legislators in history.
Yesterday, during a closed-door meeting among leaders in both parties, Espada, a former boxer, nearly came to blows with fellow Bronx State Senator Jeff Klein (who was/is the deputy majority leader). Espada told the Daily News, "I was going to kick his ass." Later Klein responded. "I can take it. He lives in Mamaroneck. I live in the Bronx." (Oooo. Snap. Why do I feel like I'm back in 5th grade?)
Apparently, Espada is upset that the Dems are sending out robocalls to people in GOP districts telling them that Republicans should drop Espada as Senate president.
Ok, on to other stuff:
Mayor Bloomberg was in the Bronx yesterday, at Truman High School on Baychester Avenue, to publicize and take credit for the 9% drop in crime at city schools.
A front page story in Times reports that, over the last five years, the Bronx has had the most murders per capita of any of the five boroughs. The Times also has a cool interative map that shows all the murders in the city since 2003 and allows you to search several categories associated with the murders.
Now, some more Kingsbridge Armory news:
The Village Voice's Runnin' Scared blog has a story on how Moroton Williams, the Bronx-born supermarket chain, is digging in for a battle against the Related Companies' plan to put a new60,000-square-foot supermarket in the Kingsbridge Armory. Morton Williams owns the Associated supermarket directly across the street from the Armory, on Jerome Avenue.
[On a long side note:The story says Related put the supermarket into its plans because the local Community Board (7) wanted it. It's true, several board members and local residents have expressed a desire for a better supermarket for the area, but CB7 Chairman Greg Faulkner said recently that the larger point is that the area needs more healthy eating options, not necessarily another competing supermarket. I'm sure we'll hear more about this at the hearing next Wednesday, June 24 at Lehman College at 6:30 p.m. If you want your voice heard, don't forget to sign up to speak beforehand by calling, (718) 933-5650.]
In a related story, the Neighborhood Retail Alliance, which Morton Williams enlisted for the Armory fight (and also was heavily critical of the city's deal with Related at the Bronx's Gateway Mall), writes on its blog that Council member Maria Baez is against a competing supermarket in the Armory, according to Crain's.
The Yankees, Unobstructed June 19
Mediocrity Awards
Watching the Yankees everyday is a lot like eating Burger King's infamous meat'normous breakfast sandwich (pictured on right). Sure, before you dive in, what sits before you is a
beautiful and spectacular monument to the wonders of joyful gluttony. But by the fourth inning, as the offense stalls and the starting pitching tires, you begin to fatigue. That sandwich, once alluring, with its three full slices of crispy bacon, two slices of smokey ham, sluggers, ace pitchers, and a sizzling sausage patty between two omelet eggs, two slices of American cheese and a toasted specialty bun, has begun to feel gross and look gratuitous.
Despite their copious "talent", the Yankees have gone on yet another mediocrity binge. As the Yankee blog WasWatching.com pointed out yesterday, the Yankees have gone 13-12 in their last 25 games, including losing two of three to the historically awful Washington Nationals.
At a time like this, we can sit and stare at the Yankees incredibly disappointing team stats for the last month. We can talk about their unreliable starting pitching and their base-running errors. We can even talk about Joe Girardi's in-game decision making. But what I find best soothes my soul when there's little good to say about the Yankees, is to hand out fake awards. So, without further adieu....
Speculatee of the Month: Tie - Joba Chamberlain, Chien-Ming Wang, Yankee Stadium
You're covering the Yankees and it's a slow day. Quick, what do you do? Easy: "Joba could recover his fastball if...." Or, "Wang needs to set up regular meetings with Dr. Leo Marvin..." Or, "the barometric pressure inside the new Stadium is irregular on days when President Obama...."
Most Thankful For: Mark Teixera
Tex's numbers for the last thirty days - 20 runs (tied-2nd on team), 11 doubles (first), 9 home runs (first), 25 rbis (first), .424 on-base percentage (first), .709 slugging (first by a mile), .340 (second). Also, Texeira has not committed a single error in the last month. He has also saved other people's errors (note Jeter and Cano have combined for just one during this span).
Second Most Thankful For: At least they're not these guys
Last weekend's Subway Series was a battle of ne'er-do-wells. In game one, neither team wanted to win, but the Mets proved more adept at handing even the least deserving of opponents a victory.
Most secretly productive: Brett Gardner
The man can score runs. In fact, he has eleven runs and eight steals, while getting just 48 at-bats in the last month. Much of that production, however, is due to his frequent pinch-running.
Most likely to make me cry: Hideki Matsui
Godzilla's decline has been precipitous. While Hideki has not lost his power (in the last month he's hit six round-trippers), he has lost all semblance of speed. Any time Matsui makes contact and the ball fails to leave the park, he has to run. Watching this once solid outfielder struggle with each step he takes down the first-base line is tough enough. But when he's chugging from first to third, it's like watching the first five minutes of "Up." Just try and choke back the waterworks.
Most disturbing facial hair: Brian Bruney
Anyone who watched last fall's Vice-Presidential Debate knows Scranton is a hard-scrabble town, so perhaps Bruney was just trying to fit in when he grew that 1980s face-mop while rehabbing. I've been looking for a good picture of it, if anyone finds one, let me know.
NOTE: Make sure to check back every Wednesday for Pinstripe Politics, your source for that gray area where the Yankees and society converge. Also, check in with the BNN on Fridays for The Yankees, Unobstructed, our weekly Yankee opinion column.
For more of Graham Kates' sports writing, check out his True/Slant blog "Coaches in the Crosshairs" (www.trueslant.com/grahamkates).
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Bronx News Roundup, June 18
The annual Bronx Independent Film Festival starts today at Lehman College.
Pedro Espada's housekeeper in Westchester has been interviewed by the Bronx DA about her boss' much-talked about residency.
One of the pit bulls rescued in a raid on a dogfighting ring in Mount Hope last summer has been re-homed. See here and here. More here on the raid itself (scroll down).
The Bronx DA is investigating a lawyer who represents landlords in Bronx housing court. The big questions: Does the lawyer actually exist? And, if not, what does this mean for the tenants he - whoever he is - has helped evict?
A Bronx detective, charged with perjury after a teenage suspect secretly recorded an interview the two had (an interview the detective said never happened), is an honest man, his lawyer insists.
An artist has created a life-size bust of a Bronx teenager who was shot dead in January.
Some of the funding the city threatened to take away from the Bronx Zoo has been restored.
State Senator Jose M. Serrano has an op-ed in today's Albany Times Union about stimulus accountability.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
A Feast in Belmont
The Feast of St. Anthony arrived in style last week, taking over a stretch of East 187th street on either side of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church for five nights of games, rides, food, and live music.
A fixture of the Belmont summer for at least 70 years, the feast culminated with a 3-hour Sunday procession, as a statue of the saint was wheeled through the streets.
More here.
Photos by Adi Talwar. Reporting by Rachel Waldholz.
Kingsbridge Armory Update, Part 2
A view of the Armory from Kingsbridge RoadThe second big piece of news is about the two big annex buildings on the north side of the Kingsbridge Armory.
Last night, Councilman Oliver Koppell gleefully told the audience at Community Board 7 (which includes the Armory in its geographical area) that the state had taken another giant step toward relocating the two state military units (currently housed in the Armory) into the recently vacated Muller Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wakefield (555 E. 238th St.).
A letter from the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, addressed to Ernie Padron, who is the Economic Development Corporation's project manager for the Armory project and, apparently, for the Muller facility redevelopment (the Department of Defense handed the facility over to the city for redevelopment and the EDC is, for all intents and purposes, handling it for the city), was for "official notice of intent" on behalf of the state military to "secure occupancy rights" to the Muller facility, which will "allow for the relocation of the current National Guard and New York Guard units" currently stationed at the Armory.
That's a mouthful, but the bottom line, according to Koppell, is that the Armory's annex buildings will soon be vacated and hopefully filled with schools to ease the area's severe overcrowding problems.
Koppell said he'd been in contact with the mayor's office about putting schools there and that they'd indicated that they were "positively inclined" to do so.
